Querencia at Barton Creek Honors Volunteer from Therapy Pet Pals

Dec. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- Diane Linder and her dog, Misty, have been visiting seniors in nursing care several times each month through Therapy Pet Pals. Because of this selfless act, Querencia at Barton Creek senior living community is recognizing Linder as one of the recipients of the 2012 Querencia Salute to Seniors Award.  Kathy Grosch, deputy director for Therapy Pet Pals, nominated Linder for the honor.

“Diane is an exceptional volunteer who has been with us for over four years,” said Grosch.  “She has such a sweet spirit that I know brightens the days of everyone she visits. Having her dog, Misty, with her is the icing on the cake!”

The Querencia Salute to Seniors Award is presented quarterly to honor an individual who is making a difference in their community.  Qualified nominees are active adults age 62 and above who volunteer their time and talents to their communities and who also exemplify leadership, spirit, and citizenship.

“Ms. Linder and Misty actually visit some of the residents in nursing care here at Querencia,” said Leslie Dominguez, director of sales and marketing for Querencia at Barton Creek.  “I know that her visits bring such joy to the people she comes to see. It is such an honor to be able to recognize Ms. Linder for the work she does giving back to seniors here and around the Austin area.”

Linder got involved Therapy Pet Pals about four years ago. She had seen programs about Therapy Pet Pals going to nursing homes and always thought it was a good thing to do. She wanted a little dog and went to a rescue organization and asked for a dog that would make a good therapy dog. She adopted Misty and the rest is history.

Taking the dog is a great ice-breaker, says Linder. She and Misty visit at least three times a month, but try to go more. Linder says they go just to talk to people. Often they visit residents who’ve had pets in the past. They like to pet the dog, talk about dogs and share stories about dogs they’ve had in the past.

“I always feel so good when I leave after a visit,” said Linder. “I see the residents smile at the dog and talk about the dog and we laugh together. It’s a very rewarding time. I think it’s more rewarding for me that it is the resident.”

Linder retired as a 5th grade language arts and social studies teacher after 30 years. On top of volunteering for Therapy Pet Pals, Linder volunteers with Learning Ally. When she’s not volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her three children and five grandchildren.

The mission of Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, Inc. is to recruit and train volunteers for work in pet therapy, and promote the human/animal bond through pet visitation program, to work with healthcare professionals in institutions where pet therapy programs would enhance the quality of life for patients, to provide institutionalized patients an opportunity for bonding with pets through weekly visits, and to promote and publicize pet therapy through workshops, seminars, lectures and discussion groups in order to elevate public awareness on the importance of pet therapy. For more information visit www.therapypetpals.org.

ABOUT QUERENCIA AT BARTON CREEK

Querencia at Barton Creek is a premier life care retirement resort located at Barton Creek Boulevard and Chalk Knoll Drive in Austin, Texas, less than a mile from Barton Creek Resort & Club.  The 475,000-square-foot retirement resort features 167 independent living residences, including 10 villas, on 38 acres.  

Residences are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 830 square feet to more than 2,200 square feet.  The Plaza at Querencia features assisted living apartment homes in one- and two-bedroom designs, memory support suites, and private skilled nursing rooms.

Querencia at Barton Creek is 501(c)3 not-for-profit retirement community sponsored by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that owns sister communities Edgemere in Dallas, The Buckingham in Houston, Mirador in Corpus Christi, The Stayton at Museum Way in Fort Worth, and The Barrington of Carmel in Indianapolis.  For information, visit www.QuerenciaBartonCreek.com, or call (512) 610-9401.